The Michigan Panthers re-signed defensive lineman Levi Bell and defensive back Kai Nacua on Wednesday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Levi Bell is six foot one and weighs 275 pounds. The 24-year-old from Cedar Park, Texas, signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2023. Next, the Michigan Panthers drafted Bell in the sixth round (40th pick) in the 2023 USFL Draft. In 2023, Bell made 17 tackles (7 solo, 10 assists), four tackles for loss, and four sacks in six games for the Panthers.
In the playoffs, Bell made seven tackles (1 solo, 6 assists), and one tackle for loss against the Pittsburgh Maulers. After the season, Bell signed with the Seattle Seahawks and spent most of the season on the practice squad. The Seahawks released Bell on May 1, 2024, and he re-signed with the Michigan Panthers on May 15, 2024. However, he was placed on injured reserve and did not play in the 2024 season.
The Panthers released him on July 30, 2024, and he signed with the Indianapolis Colts on July 31, 2024. In 2024, Bell made five tackles (5 solo) in three preseason games. The Colts released him on August 27, 2024.
Collegiately, Bell played one season at the College of Idaho in 2018 making 17 tackles (5 solo, 12 assists), 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, one blocked kick, and one punt return for no yards in seven games for the Wolves.
Next, Bell transferred to Tyler Junior College in 2019 making 41 tackles (35 solo, 6 assists), three sacks, and one fumble recovery in nine games for the Apache. Then, Bell transferred to Louisiana Tech (2020-21) making 27 tackles (14 solo, 13 assists), 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery in 13 games for the Bulldogs.
Finally, Bell concluded his collegiate career at Texas State in 2022 making 66 tackles (26 solo, 40 assists), 13.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks in 12 games for the Bobcats. He was named Second Team All-SBC, First Team All-SBC by PFF, and Third Team All-American by PFF.
Kai Nacua is six foot one and weighs 205 pounds. The 29-year-old from Las Vegas, Nevada, made 48 tackles (38 solo, 10 assists), two tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, and eight pass breakups in nine games. In the 2024 UFL playoffs, Nacua made three tackles (3 solo) against the Birmingham Stallions in the USFL Conference Championship game. He was named to the All-UFL Team after the season.
Nacua signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2017. He played 16 games making 14 tackles (12 solo, 2 assists), and one tackle for loss. The Browns released him on April 30, 2018. He also spent time with the Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, San Francisco 49ers, and the New York Jets. He played 25 NFL games making 19 tackles (16 solo, 3 assists), and one tackle for loss.
The Michigan Panthers signed Nacua on May 9, 2023. In 2023, Nacua made 31 tackles (22 solo, 9 assists), four tackles for loss, and one sack in six games.
Collegiately, Nacua played four seasons at BYU (2013-16) making 163 tackles (116 solo, 47 assists), 9 tackles for loss, 14 interceptions for 246 yards, two touchdowns, 13 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 42 games for the Cougars.
